ACE inhibitor

I am female, 49, not overweight, non-smoker. About 2 years ago, my GP put me on Perindopril erbumine 4mg/day for essential hypertension. My renin level was never tested to determine whether this was the actual mechanism that caused my HTN. What if I had low renin levels in the first place? Initially my BP and and heart rate dropped dangerously low on this drug. I often fainted and I had to go down to 2mg/day for a while. Then my BP started to rise again until I had to go back to 4mg and now it isn't optimal on 4mg anymore. I am afraid that my body is adjusting to this drug and the next thing, the dr. will want to put me on yet another drug until I am a pitiful creature with a cake tin full of meds like so many people - some meds intended to counter the side-effects caused by others! All people are not the same, why is hypertension treated on a hit and miss basis? Can I go down to 2mg/day; then quit meds completely for a few weeks and then get my renin levels tested to find out whether this is in fact the right class of drug for me?

[Cleveland Clinic]

I wouldn't recomend it.  The fact that you blood pressure dropped significantly makes me think that you renin was high as it was counteracted by the drug.  Unfortunately there are other systems that can convert renin to angiotensin II that aren't acted on by the drug and this is why you are having uncontrolled pressures now.  you will either need a higher dose of the drug, or if maxed, will have to consider adding on a second class of meds.  Some of them come as a combination single pill meds.